Watson Farley & Williams LLP offers comprehensive legal support across shipbuilding, employment, LNG shipping, and complex areas like restructuring and sanctions. Under the leadership of George Macheras, the team frequently handles cross-border disputes for leading shipowners, charterers, and insurers. Robert Platt is known for his expertise in dispute resolution and commercial contracts, while Mike Phillips specialises in contentious ship finance and offshore vessel construction. Nikki Chu joined the firm in March 2024, further strengthening the firm's dispute capabilities in the shipping sector.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Nikki Chu has a magnificent work ethic, fantastic attention to detail, and an unerring instinct for victory.'
- 'Elli Marnerou is consistently showing great judgement in litigation matters.'
- 'Alex McCue has a rare ability to see right to the heart of each case and to identify the points that matter.'
- 'Nikki Chu and Elli Marnerou are excellent at dealing directly with individuals in the business, thus helping to relieve the pressure on in-house counsel and making advisory work quicker and more efficient.'
- 'They have enormous experience across the range of shipping work and are always hardworking, reliable, and possess great strategic thinking.'
- 'The team's ability to strategise and think ahead in matters is excellent, and they regularly and fully update clients on the progress of cases.'
Key clients
- Maas Capital
- MAG Offshore Investments LLC
- Windward Investment Ltd.
- Reliance Industries Limited
- Basalt Infrastructure Partners
- Dynamis Capital Pte Ltd
- Stolt Tankers B.V.
Work highlights
Advised Maas Capital Shipping B.V. on the sale of its majority stake in Sentinel Offshore Holdings Limited to Cyan Renewables Pte. Ltd., a portfolio company of Seraya Partners.
Advised MAG Offshore Investments LLC as the purchaser in the acquisition of a 20-vessel offshore support vessel fleet from Singapore-listed Atlantic Navigation and all the connected chartering, management, joint venture and financing arrangements.
Advised a Greek bank in its successful claim for more than US$4m against the borrowers and guarantors of a loan agreement which was secured by 2 vessels which were sold without the consent of the bank as a mortgagee.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
George Macheras
Other key lawyers
Mike Phillips; Robert Platt; Nikki Chu; Elli Marnerou